Deena Kastor has lost some of the speed that helped her set the American record in the marathon (2:19:36), among numerous other accolades, but she hasn't lost much considering she's now 41 years old. On Sunday, the masters division runner set the masters division record for American women in the half marathon after winning the More Fitess/Fitness Magazine Women's Half Marathon in Central Park, letsrun reported. She ran the 13 plus miles in 71:38. The old record was 71:50 held by Colleen de Ruck.
Kastor has been running hot recently. Last month at the Dallas Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon, she fell short of de Ruck's record by seven seconds.
For her efforts, Kastor received $1,000 in prize money. Second, third, and fourth received $750, $500, and $250 respectively -- not too bad for a relatively unknown race. It was, however, the largest all-women half marathon in the country last year with over 7,500 participants. This year, 6,844 women ran, according to letsrun.
The top four:
1. Deena Kastor, 41, Mammoth Lakes, CA: 1:11:38
2. Tsehay Getiso, 21, New York, NY (ETH): 1:15:07
3. Aregash Gubae, 22, Bronx, NY (ETH): 1:18:35
4. Muliye Gurmu, 30, New York, NY (ETH): 1:25:08
The 71 and a half minute run ranks Kastor fifth among all American women this year at the distance. Though she has said last year's World Championship marathon (2:36 for 9th) was likely her last competitive try at the full 26, she may be running too fast to turn down another attempt at an Olympic bid in 2016. After all, there is no half marathon at the Olympics.
Other Kastor accomplishments:
-Bronze, 2004 Olympic Marathon
-Winner of 2005 Chicago Marathon and 2006 London Marathon.
